On December 7, 1880, Charles Alden of Gloucester, Massachusetts patented an invention for preserving fresh fish. The model, shown below, has an evaporating pan, into which prepared (cleaned and cut) fish is placed. Steam is then applied to the heating coils or steam-jacket and the blades are set into motion. This action dries the fish in about “thirty to forty minutes”.
Alden notes, “Fresh fish put up after evaporating its free moisture and being fibrilized in the manner described retains its entire nutriment and flavor, is free from all foreign and injurious substances, contains no salt, has no affinity for moisture, and will keep in any climate for a long time” (Patent No. 235,116).
2015.14.3289a, b; Patent Model – Preserving Fresh Fish
Charles Alden was well-known in the food preservation industry. Some of his other patents include “Improvement in Apparatus for Evaporation” (25,614), “Improvement in Process for Evaporating the Moisture from Animal and Vegetable Substances” (100,835), “Improvement in Treating Fruits to Dry, Saccharify, and Preserve Them” (reissue of 100,835), and “Improvement in Fruit Jellies” (116,912). Alden also exhibited examples of his dried fruits at the Centennial Exhibition, held in Philadelphia in 1876[1].
The Alden Fruit-Preserving Company published circulars in which they described “The Alden Process” and its cost benefits. It was said that “with its aid many novel and delicious forms of food are developed, and all grades of soil and climate will now produce crops of the richest character, heretofore impracticable or worthless except in favored localities.”[2]
Alden’s evaporators were utilized all over the United States. The high quantity of fresh fruit being produced in Delaware led the Alden Fruit Preserving Company to build a two-story building in Milford, Delaware in 1872.[3] And, in 1876, The Milford Basket Company utilized the Alden evaporator and process for peaches.[4]
Alden was a brilliant and successful inventor, but unfortunately committed suicide at the age of 70. The New York Times reported that Alden “had been subject to mental aberration for several weeks on account of financial difficulties”.[5]
[1] International Exhibition, 1876. (1880). Reports and Awards Vol. IV. Groups III-VII. Francis A. Walker (Ed.) Government Printing Office, Washington, DC.
[2] Alden Fruit Preserving Company. The Alden Process of Preserving and Perfecting Fruits, Vegetables, Meats, Fish, &c., by Pneumatic Evaporation and Super-Maturation.
[3] Doeerfeld, D., & Ames, D. L, & Siders, R. J. (June 1993). The Canning Industry in Delaware, 1860-1940+/-: A Historic Context.
[4] Edwards, R. (1880). Industries of Delaware: Historical and Descriptive Review: Cities, Towns, Business Interests, Institutions, Manufacturing and Commercial Advantages
[5] Suicide of an Inventor. The New York Times. 21 June 1887.
Caroline Western is the Special Projects Cataloger at Hagley.